NBA Slaps Fred VanVleet With Huge Fine

"I'll take the fine..." was the way Fred VanVleet began his rant, before absolutely launching into officials this week after the Toronto Raptors' loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. And now he's gotten the bill from the NBA: It'll cost him $30,000.

Raptors' Fred VanVleet has been fined $30,000 for comments about the NBA's officiating on Wednesday night.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 10, 2023

After the second straight game in which a Raptor was assessed a questionable technical foul, eventually leading to a loss, VanVleet went off on the officials in general, and one ref in particular: "Ben Taylor was f--king terrible tonight."

And while he said he likes most officials, and believes for the most part they do a good job, "...then you got the other ones who just want to be d--ks and just kind of f—k up the game....

"I think the jurisdiction and the power trip that we’ve been on this year with some of our officials in this league is getting out of hand … this is f—--g ridiculous."

Fines for denigrating NBA referees usually range in the $15,000 to $25,000 range, but for his extra-vocal and expletive-laced rant, VanVleet got a bonus tacked on to his. 

The Raptors have slipped to 9th spot again in the East, at 32-35. 

Photo: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports